The Royal Wedding

Over the last couple of weeks it became harder and harder to avoid seeing news about the Royal Wedding. There are some who have complained about this. These are the cynics among us. I mean it's not as if a Royal Wedding happens every day, every year or even every decade for that matter. It is a big deal. So I think the media can be forgiven for covering the story as they did. Quite simply, if you don't like it, don't read, watch or listen.

As for the romantics among us, and I believe that I probably fall into that category, watching the Royal Wedding was great. You don't even have to be a die hard monarchist to to appreciate the wedding. I am certainly not one. But it was just nice watching two young people who are clearly in love (and are part of an extraordinary family) start their lives together.

My parents are English. In 1981, I was eleven years old. We had driven from Toronto to visit friends in Montreal who were also English. I remember being woken up early in the morning and being forced (for an eleven year old it felt like forced) to watch Charles and Diana get married. Of course I didn't know too much about what was going on but I did remember it.

So it only felt fitting that I should wake myself up early this Friday morning and watch the wedding of Diana and Charles' son Prince William. And I was happy that I did. Here's what I thought.

First, the organization of the day was amazing. With most regular weddings there seems to be a lot of confusion and people are often running late. Not so with the Royal Wedding. It was amazing to see each vehicle carrying the Royal guests and participants show up precisely on time.

Watching William and Harry arrive at Westminster Abby, they really looked like Princes. You could definitely see William being King one day. He had a Kingly air.

I found it amusing that most of the media coverage was talking about Kate's dress and what it would look like. While the dress may be important, I suspect that for William it was more important to see her. The dress was great and Kate looked stunning. She is a beautiful woman and would have looked amazing in any dress. By the way, her sister, Pippa, also looked fantastic.

I loved how Harry took a look back to see Kate coming up the aisle while William remained looking forward. Harry smiled and then apparently said to William, "Wait 'till you see her."

William and Kate were perfect in their vows. You could see that they were made for each other in the little looks they gave each other.

The only complaint I had, and this is just me and probably didn't bother anyone else, but the ceremony was short and sweet through the vows and William and Kate being married. Then came all the hymns and prayers from multiple people. This part of the ceremony was much longer than the actual marriage part. It felt like the church being preachy and self important. I do understand that when William is King that he will also be the head of the Church of England. I wonder what will happen when a future monarch no longer believes in God.

Then the wedding was over and the trip to Buckingham Palace began. It was really cool seeing the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge riding in their open carriage surrounded by the palace guard. The reaction of the crowds was amazing.

By the way, did anyone else notice the runaway horse behind their carriage at one point. At first I thought I imagined it, but watching it again later it clearly was there. Apparently it had become spooked by the crowd and thrown its rider.

Then the couple came out onto the balcony at Buckingham Palace and had their kiss. Two of them. They look so comfortable together. I think that they will be good for the monarchy. They are very much a modern and "normal" couple.

Then William and Kate drove out of the palace in a vintage Aston Martin. The question I have is why did it have a learner's plate on it?

So there is a new Royal couple. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. William and Catherine.